What process allows citizens to present problems and proposed solutions directly?

The initiative process empowers citizens to directly propose legislation or constitutional amendments, effectively allowing them to present specific problems and suggest solutions without the intermediary of elected representatives. This grassroots mechanism enables citizens to gather support through petitions and presents their proposals directly to the electorate for a vote, thereby promoting civic engagement and participatory democracy.

In contrast, a referendum typically involves voters deciding on a specific legislative proposal that has already been passed by the legislature, rather than allowing citizens to propose new legislation themselves. Legislation, on the other hand, refers to the formal law-making process carried out by the governing body and does not provide a direct line for citizens to submit their solutions. Lobbying involves advocating for specific interests or policies but usually occurs through representatives or organizations rather than directly through citizen action. Thus, the initiative is the unique process that grants citizens the ability to initiate change directly.